Chopthebass

I have lots of expensive basses and still can't stop buying them. What is wrong with me? I have a Fender Elite 5 that I thought was my ultimate Jazz bass, until I decided to build one and 'improve' on the Fender. The result is a fraction of the cost and better sounding. All basses are wood and electronics, so as long as it is set up well, feels and sounds good, that's all that important. Oh the current MIM basses are crazy good value.

Ha ha I’m getting confused with my Spector LT , equally awesome!!

I’m building for a friend who totally regrets selling the Elite he had in the 80’s, and he wants to replicate it, but take it to the next level. The 3 Leaf preamps are something else! personally I would reverse each pickup.

I recently bought a Passion IV 5 string. It does have a unique sound from the Barts and DG preamp. What I really like is how even the sound is. No quiet strings or dead spots. I always thought the body shapes were a bit weird but the feel, balance and sound make you forget that! Oh and the build quality is superb. Almost as good as my Mayones. IMO you can’t compare Warwick to Vigier.

All from scratch Andy. Quite a lot of routing is needed under the pickguard to accommodate the preamp and 18v.

Deliveries are slow from the states, but first piece arrived today. White pickups. Bridge overwound 10% and neck 5%

Looking very nice!

I recommend the Bergantino Forte HP. Best Class D I have ever used.

Thank you!

99% finished. I just have to wire in the headphone amp and make the covers.

Here you go!

My buddy had an ‘83 Élite years ago and regrets ever selling it! So I’m having a go at making him one. I’m going to use Lindy Fralins pickups overwound 10%, and 3-Leaf Audio Blue preamp running 18v. Should be a monster!

Looking great. Love that spalt!

It’ll be better with a D string! I don’t have a new set, and just slapped this old set on but the string broke !

Here’s the headstock.

Thanks Andy

Thanks Andy

Thanks! I was toying with a tort pickguard.

Not really a build diary but a finished photo! I’m getting better at taking progress pics, so future builds will be more detailed. Anyway, this is a five string, 24 fret P bass style build. Alder body, maple neck and wenge fingerboard. Radius is compound from 10-14”, and neck rear is asymmetric, 35” scale. I’m using a Bill Lawrence P45 and first impressions are great. It had a weird magnet configuration that they promise is fine for 4 or 5 string bass. This is the first passive build in years! Colour is Nissan Firemist metallic. What do you think?

Flat sawn can be used if you laminate it. Some people even cut it down the centre and flip one piece round and glue back together. I would laminate it thou.

Well spotted! And there is a reason. Bad planning on my part. The pickup was shifted 2mm off center because it would have clashed with the batteries! So the next one I’ll move the battery boxes slightly, or make 9v. I may even try headless too for number 2.

Thanks Stew

Stuck some strings on. I still have to level and dress the frets, but amazingly there’s only a few buzzes and a very low action!

I love shiny frets on maple! My missus said it’s a shame you can’t get gold frets. Ah but you can and I didn’t give it a thought! EVO frets next time!